(4ft) Multi-Scale & Multi-Physics Computation Driven Process Intensification

Research Interests
How do we electrify chemical manufacturing? Can we go beyond traditional performance limits by leveraging the fundamental physics of electromagnetic fields and photons? How do we bridge the information gap from material-scale (nano/micro) to process-scale (macro)? My proposed research aims to address these questions to engineer intensified chemical manufacturing solutions. By creating multi-scale informed processes powered by external fields, my research will advance our journey towards a decarbonized future. Potential funding from programs in sustainable manufacturing, CO₂ upgradation, plastics recycling, and computational development will transform these proposed ideas into an independent research program.

Traditionally, chemical processes operate as a manufacturing assembly line where unit operations (e.g., reactor, distillation column) are individually optimized. In contrast, the paradigm of process intensification focuses on all underlying fluxes (molecular, thermal, photonic) and fundamental physics across the whole process to eliminate bottlenecks holistically. I am interested in applying this strategy to enable a physics-guided chemical synthesis using external fields as the driving force. My unique approach will be to (i) utilize fundamental insights about multi-physical phenomena, (ii) at all length scales ranging from bulk to nano, (iii) using machine learning-enabled simulation tools. By bridging the gap between underlying physics and process-scale solutions, my research group will be poised to address sustainable chemical manufacturing challenges that I foresee emerging in the coming years (see Figure at bottom).

The breadth of my past research experience has trained me to pursue this novel direction of research. As a post-doc, I have utilized multi-physics computations (COMSOL, OpenFOAM, CHEMKIN) to probe energy-matter interactions to understand and improve microwave-assisted manufacturing processes [1-2]. Using the fundamental insights from these multi-physics simulations allowed me to predict reactor designs that intensified chemical production. In my Ph.D., I created custom simulation environments (FORTRAN, Python) to design better thermoelectrics for waste-heat recovery. By incorporating the role of surface roughness at the nanometer scale on the transport of phonons in various semiconductor topologies, I created a predictive design framework for nanostructure thermal transport [3-5]. Overall, I have published 13 peer-reviewed articles (10 first-authored) in chemical engineering and applied physics journals.

Teaching Interests
My teaching philosophy is motivated by my experience of designing an online course (Process Intensification), delivering lectures (Graduate Thermodynamics, Undergrad Transport), leading office hours , and lab instruction (Process Dynamics). I am comfortable teaching courses across the chemical engineering curriculum. I am especially drawn towards teaching Transport Phenomena, Heat and Mass Transfer, Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics, and Kinetics courses based on my research and teaching experiences. I am also enthusiastic about developing an elective course on Multi-physics Simulations of Chemical Processes.

Most importantly, I am committed to being a mentor in my students' success and creating an inclusive learning environment as a faculty member. I firmly believe that we all must go above and beyond to provide equal opportunities for development to students from all backgrounds. My own life experiences shape these beliefs, and I am eager to put them into practice to create a welcoming academic environment.

Selected Publications
[1]. Chen, W.*, Malhotra, A.*, et al. “Intensified microwave-assisted heterogeneous catalytic reactors for sustainable chemical manufacturing”. Chemical Engineering Journal (2021).
[2]. Malhotra, A.*, Chen, W.*, et al. “Temperature homogeneity under selective and localized microwave heating in structured flow reactors”. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research (2021).
[3]. Malhotra, A. & Maldovan, M. “Phononic pathways towards rational design of nanowire heat conduction”. Nanotechnology (2019).
[4]. Malhotra, A., Kothari, K. & Maldovan, M. “Enhancing thermal transport in layered nanomaterials”. Scientific Reports (2018)
[5]. Malhotra, A., & Maldovan, M. “Impact of phonon surface scattering on thermal energy distribution of Si and SiGe nanowires” Scientific Reports (2016)